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Astorino Gives Outlook, New Ideas To Business, Real Estate Leaders

WESTCHESTER, N.Y. -- Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino released a report Thursday detailing ways to upgrade government services while attracting and retaining skilled young workers.

From left, William Mooney, Jr., Westchester County Association CEO; Marissa Brett, WCA president; County Executive Rob Astorino; and William Harrington, WCA chairman.

From left, William Mooney, Jr., Westchester County Association CEO; Marissa Brett, WCA president; County Executive Rob Astorino; and William Harrington, WCA chairman.

Photo Credit: Provided/Westchester County

Astorino's report complemented a keynote speech by an investment strategist who predicted better economic years ahead, bolstered by spending by the children of baby boomers. Their optimistic outlooks for 2015 came during an annual breakfast sponsored by the Westchester County Association at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown 

The oldest of the so-called "millennials" turns 35 this year, according to Lisa Shalett, head investment strategist for Morgan Stanley. They can be expected to buy homes, have their own babies and fill the home with goods, sustaining economic growth during the next decade.

“Westchester is open for business,” Astorino said. “I am committed to marshaling all of the resources of our county government toward promoting economic growth and prosperity in Westchester.”

Astorino released a 32-page report titled, "Westchester Smart: Ideas and initiatives for a stronger economy." It stemmed from roundtable talks between February and August of 2014 with 50 community leaders from key demographic and business sectors. Astorino announced what he called five new “smart” initiatives for 2015 and beyond. Initiatives to be rolled out this year include:

  • “A Job’s Waiting for You Training" to place 500 individuals in high demand healthcare jobs in the next four years.
  • "A Mobile App Development Bowl:" Westchester County and Pace University will host a mobile application development competition for college and high school students. Prizes include cash awards and paid internships.
  • Westchester County will launch a redesigned county website, making information easier to find and more accessible on mobile devices. While the county government site currently gets 1.4 million views monthly, only 10 percent of them are from mobile devices. 
  • ·"Navigating Westchester," an initiative to invite real estate developers, municipal officials, planning experts and members of neighborhood associations to discuss strategies for improving all aspects of development.
  • A fall summit where Westchester County unites leaders from the profit and not-for-profit sectors to look at their roles, opportunities for collaboration, funding and mutual concerns, such as housing, transportation and day care.

The complete report may be viewed online at westchestersmart.com 

 

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